Inward purity & outward dress -- Does it matter how we dress for worship?

The Prayer Book Society of the USA ^ | September 2, 2003 | The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon

[hiho hiho]

Inward purity & outward dress

Does it matter how we dress for worship?

Not too long ago, it was commonly held within all Christian denominations, from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, that anyone going to a church service on Sunday should put on his best clothing (or at least his good clothing) for he was meeting not a human king or a human president, but the King of the kings and the Lord of the lords and the President of the presidents, even the Lord God, the Blessed Trinity. And "best" or "good" dress was defined in cultural terms as what was appropriate when meeting someone of great importance.

So one did not go to church on the Lord's Day in one's work clothing or in one's leisure attire. Along with this dress code, the basic affection of the soul that was seen as appropriate in entering the house of the Lord was "the fear of the Lord" (a sense of reverence and awe and sinfulness before the Infinite and Eternal, Holy God), for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom.

Today, semi-casual or even casual clothing are the norm in many denominations from Orthodox through Roman Catholic to Baptist, and "the fear of the Lord" has generally been replaced by "wanting a relationship with the Lord and [perhaps] with all [or some of those] who gather" (thus the spread of "the passing of the peace" or "the greeting" in the services of virtually all American denominations since the 1970s).

One can challenge this description claiming that the difference between 1950 and 2000 is not so marked. Yet any churchgoer who is 60 or more will be able to verify it, at least in general terms from personal observation.

But why this change in dress code and general attitude? One can offer all kinds of answers related to changing social and cultural mores, changing liturgical fashions, changing doctrinal teaching and a felt, greater sense of personal freedom and autonomy. But what seems to make sense, because we are beings with soul and body, is that there is a vital connection with what is believed, taught and confessed and how one dresses for worship and how one perceives and describes worship.

The move from dressing in one's best clothing to dressing in one's leisure or semi-formal clothing seems to be an outward and visible change of an inward disposition or attitude. Apparently the general perception of God, his nature, character & attributes, has changed and so has the sense of the place of a human being before him. Today we seem to think that we can easily enter the presence of God for he is the Friendly One who welcomes us just as we are. He is always ready to have "a relationship" with us. Yesterday, we apparently thought that to seek to enter the presence of God was an awesome calling, requiring reverence and penitence and that if He did establish a relation with us it was one of sovereign mercy.

The Lord's Day is not merely special, it is unique, for it is the weekly festival of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Perhaps we should dress in an appropriate manner to celebrate the uniqueness of the Saviour and the Day!

The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

As a pastor, I would appreciate this approach.

Oh that all had your wisdom:), and I am NOT being sarcastic.

Becky

[johnb838]

Jesus also said:

" Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw [it], he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. "

If my snobbish mode of dress causes one seeker to turn away from my church, then I am not doing a pleasing thing in our Lord's eyes.

[John_burchett]

"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." I think this goes for all our outward actions. Most people will dress/act in a way directly related to how they perceive the person they're meeting with. I agree that such is not *required* that God accepts people who come to Him, however they are dressed when they come to Him. Our dress is something we do in response to His acceptance, not something we do to earn His acceptance. If you hold someone in high regard, how can you have the attitude "why do I HAVE to dress up??". Well, that's my $0.02.

[CCWoody]

On my dressiest Sunday, I can be found in jeans & a polo shirt with the church logo. This is my official usher's uniform. This way, nobody is out of place, except possibly me and my team.

Woody.

BTW, I got a complaint last week. It seems a woman was there in a short mini skirt. Yeah, I saw it, and there was a lot of thigh. Yeah, she looked like she was ready to be picked up at a singles bar. In a few weeks, she will probably be wearing jeans or something less "dressy." I'm thinking (I didn't say it), don't look and your wife won't have to slap your butt out into the isle. You might call it "slain in the Spirit," but that won't save face with your wife.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

I usually wear to church what I wear to work. Maybe a dress or skirt set for Christmas or other special days. I wear nice slacks and a sweater or blouse to work, and that's what I wear to church most of the time. My fiance wears a shirt, tie (usually humorous), and khakis. No one has ever said a word, although I know some of the older women would prefer that ladies wear dresses every week.

I do see girls and young women - even some my age - wearing the most disgusting, sluttish clothes. Really, I don't need to see a thong poking out while a 23 year old C&E churchgoer ambles up for Communion in a miniskirt and tight shirt on Christmas Eve.

It's my belief that God doesn't care if I'm wearing designer dresses or nice business casual-like clothes. If I were being immodest or obscene, that would be a problem. I'm not sure how I feel about shorts in church...something to think about.

[Frumanchu]

I agree. There is a chorister in our church who wears short, tight skirts that I personally think are inappropriate. But because she's the daughter of the organist, who seems to have more sway than anyone in the church save the pastor, nobody says anything. (as a side not, I was secretly cheering when my newborn son puked over my shoulder and onto her little mini-skirt. she was appalled...she has no kids and has never been a 'kid person'). My understanding of the OP here was that modesty was not the question so much as casual attire. Fortunately, modesty (or lack thereof) is not really an issue at our church, which is also a rural church.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Whatcha think?

Becky

[drstevej]

Thanks, Becky.

[RaginCajunTrad]

"It's my belief that God doesn't care if I'm wearing designer dresses or nice business casual-like clothes."

I agree completely. However, I also think that we have lost our sense of decorum in this country. It's getting to the point where everyone dresses casual. Other than school principals, I normally don't see male school teachers wearing ties and many of the women teachers don't wear dresses. In the business world, even at banks, jeans and capris are becoming acceptable. Doctors, dentists, etc. quit wearing ties a number of years ago.

It is my firm belief that decorum (or lack thereof) of dress affects decorum of behavior.

In protest over the casual dress of our community in general and our office in specific, I started wearing a tie again. One of my friends/clients seeing this asked my why. He thought it was sooooooooo unusual. I explained the casualness of dress in the community and the office and added, "It's gotten to the point that if you want to see someone in this town wearing a tie, you have to go to the Ford dealership." (The owners of the dealership are old school.)

It's not the $'s. One get get a decent slack, shirt and tie at Wal Mart for about $40.

[Gamecock]

We have some dirt poor people in my church. If we make the dress code suit and tie, and those who obviously can't afford it feel out of place because that's "what this church expects" and they leave, what have we accomplished?

Again, I am not advocating the Britnay Spears look, but for one reason or another not everyone can dress up. It's wrong to make those feel uncomfortable.

[mr_snoopy]

Perhaps it's not about wearing a shirt and tie, but rather about you approach to worship. That is, if you feel the way the person who posted this original thread then you should approach God with reverence and respect. If, on the other hand, you don't think it matters, or reverence and respect cannot or should not be shown outwardly, then you can dress as casually as you desire. I think it's pretty clear, though, in the New Testament that whatever it is that you "do" it's what is in your heart that matters.

[Blessed]

We are dealing with two different issues "dreessing up and "modesty.

It disturbs me that many teenage girls are coming to church wearing clothes that do not meat dress codes for public schools. Many of the Christian School kids save their short skirts and belly shirts for church also.

Dressing up is a personnel decision. I find myself wrestling with the question at times. I wonder if I am really preparing to be on "Holy Ground" when I choose not to wear my best to Church. Why did God expect such strict standards from the priest wnen they presented the sacrifices or entered the Holy of Hollies ? If we can't at least pause to consider these matters individually do we really have a true "heart for worship'.

[k omalley]

I don't think that neat and modest are too much to ask. Perhaps God doesn't care but it is wrong to give scandal or cause others to feel uncomfortable because of totally inappropriate dress. And it is God's house we are going to. He is a bit more than a casual friend to whose home we might wear shorts when visiting. He is our Creator and Savior and I would think we would want to show a little bit of respect.

[Between the Lines]

My wife and I are new Christians, but I our story is pertinent to the subject. This is a story of how different churches attitudes of dress affect the Lord's work.

My wife's father was a Baptist preacher. She grew up going to church three times a week or more and had to wear dresses. When she was 10 she was in an accident that burned her legs and left them badly scared. Even though her legs were scared her father demanded she still wear dresses both to church and school. What happened at school was awful, but one can expect it of school children. In church the children still mocked her and ostracized her, the adults stared, pointed and whispered. Because of the way she was received in the church not only her legs were scared but her soul as well. She was 13 when her parents divorced and her mother permitted her to wear pants. But she never went to church.

Although I was not a Christian, after we were married and had children, I thought it important our children attend church. She said that it was fine if they go but that she would not. Our children grew up going to a Baptist church and there were many occasions (baptisms and special events) that it was necessary for us to attend. My wife always wore one of her best pantsuits for these occasions. Almost every time we went to church, she would be approached by one or more of the ladies and informed how her attire was inappropriate. She was not only embarrassed (for she was wearing her very best clothes) but felt that she was being judged by the by the church all dressed in their "Easter Parade" clothes.

Our children are grown now and our first grandchild was born almost 2 years ago. When she was 3 months old she became ill and was hours from death. I prayed to God for the first time in 25 years and he heard my prayers and answered them. She rapidly recovered and is the joy of our life today.

Because of this answered prayer, I felt compelled to seek God out. I asked my wife if she would go to church with me and she said "if you find a church where I can wear my blue jeans, I will go." I had already researched and had found a new church in town that permitted casual dress and told her so. She was surprised to find out she was going to church next Sunday, not because her children wanted her to be there, but because she and her husband wanted to be.

That first Sunday, at what was to become our church, we were greeted warmly and sincerely. Most of the people there wore suits and dresses or what would be considered "business casual", but several of the younger people wore jeans and tees and a few even wore shorts (modest of course). We were made to feel that we were cared about and never felt judged.

We came to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, joined the church and soon came the day we were to be baptized. Our church has it baptisms in a private park on the river. There is a big cookout and lots of singing, fun and swimming. This being the case most wear swimsuits shorts and tees. Although I was wearing shorts my wife chose to dress in a swimsuit covered by a tee shirt and of course jeans. Before heading down to the water all of those being baptized are asked to give their testimony. I spoke for my wife and myself and included (to her disapproval) the story behind the jeans and of her scared legs. No one had known before. Everyone had gathered on the bank of the river and we waited there for our turn to be baptized. My wife went before me and just before entering the water to my astonishment she removed her jeans. No one but our children and myself had seen her legs in over 30 years. There was no gasp from those gathered, no pointing or whispers, only cheers of encouragement and praises to the Lord. And we were baptized. I later asked her why she removed her jeans and she said, "It just seemed right." We have affectionately been known to our church as the "Jean people" every since.

The next Sunday at church before service while everyone is standing around socializing, my wife suddenly started crying. I was very concerned and asked her why. She told me, "they all have on jeans." I looked around and sure enough the majority of the people had worn jeans that day and they have every since. This is how a beautiful woman came to know of the Lord's acceptance and love through one church, mirroring God's ways, accepted and loved her "just as she was."

While I think that casual dress should be encouraged, Timothy 2:9 tell us that a woman should dress modestly. I believe this also applies to men today for in Timothy’s day men did not dress immodest and so he saw no need to address the issue. But today it should also apply to men.

In Luke 12:22-23 we read:

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

We have been called to be his disciples (Matthew 28:19) and this is what he wants us to do.

[drstevej]

A powerful testimony which brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for posting it!

PING to others

[Gamecock]

Amen!

[nobdysfool]

Thank you for your testimony of the Love of Christ made manifest in His people.

[nobdysfool]

Litmus test: If they sing "Just As I Am" in church, they shouldn't be imposing or even thinking about a dress code that discriminates against rural folks and farmers.

Just my two cents...:o)

[ThomasMore]

Hi, brother gamecock,

I agree with what you say and also with what has been said about what's in the heart is of importance. And I know those in my family as well as friends who are totally in the Lord and also dress casual for Church. But I also see wisdom in the following:

The move from dressing in one's best clothing to dressing in one's leisure or semi-formal clothing seems to be an outward and visible change of an inward disposition or attitude.

Of course, we shouldn't broad-brush everyone with the same paint. Like I said, I know many who dress casual and have a saintly life in Christ. But dressing casual can also, over time, manifest a casualness about our Christianity AND OUR witness to the King! I see no need to mandate dress. However, my recommendations would include the question...why do you dress to the nines to go to the senior prom yet wouldn't do the same for the Lord? why dress formal to meet the president...why dress formal at all.

The fact of the matter is, we all dress formal from time to time. But few do it for the Lord. Is it a sign of our times?